Super Mario turns 40

Mario Turns 40: Celebrating Four Decades of the World’s Most Famous Plumber

Saturday, 13 September 2025 marks 40 years since Super Mario Bros. first burst onto screens in Japan. The game launched in 1985 on the Famicom console (known later as the Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES) and quickly became a global sensation.

Since then, Mario has starred in over 200 games, appeared in movies, and become one of the most recognisable characters in the world.

To celebrate Mario’s 40th birthday, here are four fun facts—one for each decade he’s been jumping, racing, and adventuring!

1. Mario Didn’t Start in His Own Game

Before Super Mario Bros., Mario first appeared in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong. He had to climb ladders and dodge barrels to save a girl from a giant gorilla. Back then, he was called “Jumpman” or even “Mr. Video,” as creator Shigeru Miyamoto planned to use him in many games.

2. He’s Had Lots of Jobs

Most people know Mario as a plumber, but that wasn’t always the case! In Donkey Kong, he worked as a carpenter because the game took place on a construction site. Over the years, Mario has taken on lots of roles—he’s been a racing driver, doctor, footballer, martial artist, and even a basketball player.

3. Why He Has a Moustache

Mario’s famous look—his moustache, hat, and overalls—was designed to help with early video game animation. Back in the 1980s, characters were made with just a few pixels, so animating details like a mouth or hair was tricky. Giving Mario a moustache and hat made him easier to draw and recognise!

4. He’s Been in More Than One Movie

You may have seen The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023, but that wasn’t Mario’s first film. In 1993, a live-action Mario movie was released, though it didn’t do very well in cinemas. Still, it became a cult classic among fans.

After 40 years of adventures, power-ups, and saving Princess Peach, Mario is still going strong. Happy Birthday, Mario—and here’s to many more years of fun! 🍄🎉